This could make things interesting.

Honda may have found the secret sauce behind your hybrid success. First, you set up a 5-door, five passenger sedan hybrid that is not available in the gas models only. Then you mix it at a price that most people can actually afford. Finally, you top it off with a name that is synonymous with the word hybrid.


Based on the 2008 yesterday "mid-year address" from the CEO Takeo Fukui, Honda seems to have 2 of those 3 ingredients in a bowl. Unfortunately, they left us hanging with no name, no price, and no spy photos. Therefore, because it would be very difficult to write about the future of this hybrid from Honda for the next 6 months without giving a name, we call it Green Honda. In the spirit of the Accord, Civic, Pilot, Element, Fit, and Insight - the name "Green" short and sweet. As a bonus it really sounds like a hybrid vehicle. So until we learn the real name, it's a new - or more likely totally new Honda Green.

Seriously though, Honda did provide us with some tidbits to chew on.

•     Honda plans to sell 100,000 (Green) in North America each year (200,000 globally)
•     Green will look like a fuel cell FCX Clarity Concept
•     Hybrid components will be tucked under the rear hatchback area, to offer more interior cargo space
•     The new hybrid will be the most affordable yet, the price of $ 1900 of the conventional model is similar

In related news hybrid, Mr. Fukui announced that Honda plans to sell 500,000 hybrids per year next year or soon thereafter. Some half a million cars will be redesigned Civic. Others will be the future of "hybrid" version of the current Honda Fit. Still another hybrid vehicle that will come from Honda will be modeled after their sporty concept vehicle, the CR-Z.

Honda's first in this game, the fact that many tend to forget. The company is a leader in automotive technology the most and although they are not always the fastest company in terms of change - they change when they are ready and not a moment before. Honda hybrid will offer the best driver in the car class, regardless of engine or electric motor that is in the mix. They are solid in every hybrid car they bring to the market.